As a 14-year-old hockey player there is not much greater dream than being drafted to the Western Hockey League but for Humboldt’s Noah Barlage, that dream became a reality.
Barlage, a 6’0” 150lb defenseman, was selected in the seventh round 142nd overall by the Seattle Thunderbirds at the WHL Bantam Draft in Red Deer on May 3.
“It was pretty exciting to hear about it. It’s a pretty awesome team.”
The 15-year-old enjoyed an excellent second season on the blueline with the Humboldt Bantam AA Broncos, posting 12 goals and 28 assists for 40 points in 31 games.
In four playoff games the Humboldt native added five assists.
While Barlage enjoyed an excellent season offensively, Thunderbirds director of player personnel Cal Filson says it was Barlage’s all round game that impressed them the most.
“He’s going to put up some points. He’s smart, he gets shots through and he really competes and he’s a good kid, “ he said.
“We really value character, hockey sense and compete, and he really checks all those boxes and I see him being a WHL player. We’re excited to have drafted him where we did.”
Of course, Barlage also features a large frame, something Filson says is really important for the Thunderbirds.
“The US Division is a bigger, heavier division and we play more of a pro style of hockey… so it’s better to have a big guy that can skate and move the puck than it is to have a small guy that can skate and move the puck and that’s really huge in the US Division.”
Of course, Barlage being just 15 will have another year to continue to work on his already large frame before he is eligible to play in the WHL.
With a year to wait, Barlage says the plan is to move to Prince Albert to play with the Mintos, a move Filson says will be critical for his development.
With Barlage set to play in the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League in 2018-2019, Filson says he hopes to see the 15-year-old continue to work on his all around game, as well as his leg and core strength.
“He’s got a really solid game… I tell everybody, shoot 100 pucks a day. You work on playing outside with the orange hockey ball or with a golf ball working on your puck handling skills and your skating. There’s no one area, it’s kind of just keep on developing.”
While Barlage could make the jump to the WHL at 16, Filson guessed his likely scenario would see the 15-year-old make the roster full time as a 17-year-old, noting the second year in midget might be great for his development.
“He’ll wear a letter and run the power play and kill every penalty and play 30 minutes a night in midget AAA and really dominate. So at 17 when he comes to junior, then he’s ready to step right in and keep on in that role,” he said noting 16-year-olds typically are not given the same kind of responsibilities.
While Filson says it is likely better for his development to play another year in midget, he also noted Barlage is a talented player, who could very well force his way onto the 2019 roster.
“You have to be a real special guy and he’s a good player. There’s no reason that he couldn’t play at 16.”
